Initiating device



Aug. 18, 1925.

' B. L. BRAY ET AL INITIATING DEVICE Filed Aug. 6, lji

gwuawtova M attain.

Patented Aug. 18, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

BENJAMIN LEE BRAY AND SAMUEL J. BUTLER, OF LILIAN, VIRGINIA.

IN ITIATIN G- DEVICE.

Application filed August 6, 1923. Serial No. 656,046.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, BENJAMIN LEE BRAY and SAMUEL J. BUTLER, citizens of the United States, residing at Lilian, in the county of N orthumberland and State of Virgina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Initiating Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in initiating devices and more particularly to that type of apparatus adapted to be used in initiating members into secret organizations for the purpose of providingamusement to the previously initiated.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the above general character, of simple and practical construction, which may be inexpensively manufactured and assembled.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the above character of strong and durable construction well adapted to with stand the hard usage to which it may be put.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of. the above character which, when operated, will provide the desired element of surprise to the one being initiated and contribute tothe amusement of those previously initiated.

Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawings and in part indicated from the following analysis of the invention.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of parts, and in the unique relation of the various members and the relative proportioning and dispositioning thereof, all as more clearly outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the underlying features thereof, in order that they may embody the same, by numerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting the preferred forms have been annexed as part of this disclosure and in such drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which Figure 1 is an elevational perspective view showing the complete apparatus;

Figure 2 is a sectional view, showing the internal mechanism;

Figure 3 is a detail view in perspective of one of the removable seats; and

Figure 4 1s a similar view of the other removable seat.

Referring now to the drawings in detail,-

and more particularly to Figure 1, 5 indi cates a support of any desired type. This may be in the form of either a rectangular box, as shown, or in the form of a chair or stool or other article of furniture, upon which a person may be conveniently seated.

For convenience, the form herein shown is more desirable in view of its simplicity and durability. The upper part of the support 5 is provided with a molding 6 which provides a counter-sunk recess 7 into which one of the two interchangeable seats or covers may be placed. One of these covers, which is of a shape adapted to fit the counter-sunk top and notched at one corner 8 in order that it may be placed in proper registering position, is provided with a plurality of upwardly projecting metallic spikes 10. The other seat is of the same size and construction, but in this instance the upwardly projecting members 11 are made of rubber. These seats or covers 12 and 13 are adapted to be placed in the counter-sunk top 7 to provide a seat upon which the candidate for initiation may be seated. The oover or plate 13 is provided with two contacts 14 which are adapted to connect with or engage contact members 15 which are connected through a spark coil 16 to dry batteries 17, the circuit being opened and closed by means of a conveniently located switch 18 at any desired point. The upper surface of they support 5 is provided with a hole 20 in order that the operator may insert his hand through the open back of the support and raise the one or the other of the seats 12 or 13 out of the recessed top.

The operation or method of use of the device is substantially as followsz The seat 12 with metallic spikes is placed in position upon the support 5 and the candidate allowed to inspect the same and told that he is to sit upon the support during a part of the initiation proceedings. His attention is then distracted for a moment while the operator quickly replaces the seat 12 by the seat 13 having the rubber spikes and con tact members 14. The candidate is then forcibly seated upon the receptacle, and much to his surprise the rubber spikes yield to his weight without injury. When, however, he has had an opportunity to recover from this pleasant surprise, the operator then manipulates the switch 18 which, through the contacts 1 gives the candidate a severe shock, greatly to the amusement of the previously initiated members.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a simpleand practical apparatus of the above general character well adapted to accomplish among others all of the objects hereinafter set forth.

WVithout further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of theinvention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting certain features that, fromthelstandpoiirt of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

To claim:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a support adapted to contain electrical apparatus and contacts and having a. countersunk .upper surface, a plurality of interchangeable seats complementary to said support and adapted to be selectively placed in said counter-sunk surface, contacts associated with one of said seats adapted to connect with the electrical apparatus, and a switch associated with the electrical apparatus for shocking the person seated upon said support.

2. In an vapparatus of the character described, a support, spaced contacts on the upper part 01"- said support, electrical means including a switch within said support for giving an electrical shock to the person seated thereupon, and interchangeable seats complementary to said support and adapted to be selectively placed upon the support, one of which is provided with yielding projections and electrical contacts adapted to register with said first mentioned contacts.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a support, spaced contacts on the upper part of said support, electrical means including a switch within said support ior giving an electrical shock to the person seat ed thereupon, interchangeable seats complementary to said support and adapted to be selectively placed upon the support, one of which provided with yielding projections and electrical contacts, said contacts being adapted to register with said first mentioned contacts, and means whereby said seatsinay be conveniently interchangeable.

4.111 an apparatus of the character de scribed, asupport, spaced contacts on the upper part of said support, electrical means including a switch within sa d support for giving an electrical shock to the person seat- 

